Part 207

Ra`di*o*te*leg"ra*phy (?), n. [Radio- + telegraphy.] Telegraphy using the radiant energy of electrical (Hertzian) waves; wireless telegraphy; -- the term adopted for use by the Radiotelegraphic Convention of 1912.

Ra`di*o*tel"e*phone (?), n. A wireless telephone. -- Ra`di*o*te*leph"o*ny (#), n.

Ra`di*o*ther"a*py (?), n. [Radio- + therapy.] (Med.) Treatment of disease by means of Röntgen rays or other forms of radioactivity.

Ra`di*o*tho"ri*um (?), n. (Chem.) A radioactive substance apparently formed as a product from thorium.

Ra`di*um (?), n. [NL., fr. L. radius ray.] (Chem.) An intensely radioactive metallic element found (combined) in minute quantities in pitchblende, and various other uranium minerals. Symbol, Ra; atomic weight, 226.4. Radium was discovered by M. and Mme. Curie, of Paris, who in 1902 separated compounds of it by a tedious process from pitchblende. Its compounds color flames carmine and give a characteristic spectrum. It resembles barium chemically. Radium preparations are remarkable for maintaining themselves at a higher temperature than their surroundings, and for their radiations, which are of three kinds: alpha rays, beta rays, and gamma rays (see these terms). By reason of these rays they ionize gases, affect photographic plates, cause sores on the skin, and produce many other striking effects. Their degree of activity depends on the proportion of radium present, but not on its state of chemical combination or on external conditions.The radioactivity of radium is therefore an atomic property, and is explained as result from a disintegration of the atom. This breaking up occurs in at least seven stages; the successive main products have been studied and are called radium emanation or exradio, radium A, radium B, radium C, etc. (The emanation is a heavy gas, the later products are solids.) These products are regarded as unstable elements, each with an atomic weight a little lower than its predecessor. It is possible that lead is the stable end product. At the same time the light gas helium is formed; it probably consists of the expelled alpha particles. The heat effect mentioned above is ascribed to the impacts of these particles. Radium, in turn, is believed to be formed indirectly by an immeasurably slow disintegration of uranium.

Raf"fi*a palm (?). (a) A pinnate- leaved palm (Raphia ruffia) native of Madagascar, and of considerable economic importance on account of the strong fiber (raffia) obtained from its leafstalks. (b) The jupati palm.

Raf"fle (?), n. [See Raff, n. & v., and Raffle.] Refuse; rubbish; raff.

Rag, v. t. 1. (Music) To play or compose (a piece, melody, etc.) in syncopated time. [Colloq.]

2. To dance to ragtime music, esp. in some manner considered indecorous. [Colloq. or Slang]

{ Rag"na*rok" (?), ||Rag"na*rök" (?) }, n. [Icel., fr. regin, rögn, gods + rök reason, origin, history; confused with ragna- rökr the twilight of the gods.] (Norse Myth.) The so-called "Twilight of the Gods" (called in German Götterdämmerung), the final destruction of the world in the great conflict between the Æsir (gods) on the one hand, and on the other, the gaints and the powers of Hel under the leadership of Loki (who is escaped from bondage).

Rag"time`, n. (Mus.) Time characterized by syncopation, as in many negro melodies. [Colloq.]

Raif"fei`sen (?), a. (Economics) Designating, or pertaining to, a form of coöperative bank founded among the German agrarian population by Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen (1818-88); as, Raiffeisen banks, the Raiffeisen system, etc. The banks are unlimited-liability institutions making small loans at a low rate of interest, for a designated purpose, to worthy members only.

Rail, n. A railroad as a means of transportation; as, to go by rail; a place not accesible by rail.

Rail"road`, v. t. To carry or send by railroad; usually fig., to send or put through at high speed or in great haste; to hurry or rush unduly; as, to railroad a bill through Condress. [Colloq., U. S.]

{ ||Ra`ki", ||Ra`kee" } (?), n. [Turk. rkarrack.] A kind of ardent spirits used in southern Europe and the East, distilled from grape juice, grain, etc.

||Ral"liés" (?), n. pl. [F., p. p. pl. See Rally, v. t.] A French political group, also known as the Constitutional Right from its position in the Chambers, mainly monarchists who rallied to the support of the Republic in obedience to the encyclical put forth by Pope Leo XIII. in Feb., 1892.

Ram"e*kin, n. = Ramequin.

Ram"e*quin (?), n. [F.] The porcelian or earthen mold in which ramequins are baked and served, by extension, any dish so used.

Ram"til (?), n. [Bengali ram- til.] A tropical African asteraceous shrub (Guizotia abyssinica) cultivated for its seeds (called ramtil, or niger, seeds) which yield a valuable oil used for food and as an illuminant.

||Ran`che*ri"a (?), n. [Sp. rancheria.] 1. A dwelling place of a ranchero.

2. A small settlement or collection of ranchos, or rude huts, esp. for Indians. [Sp. Amer. & Southern U. S.]

3. Formerly, in the Philippines, a political division of the pagan tribes.

Rand (?), n. [D.] (D. pron. &?;) Rim; egde; border. [South Africa]

The Rand, a rocky gold-bearing ridge in South Africa, about thirty miles long, on which Johannesburg is situated; also, the gold-mining district including this ridge.

Ran"gy (?), a. [From Range, v. i.] Inclined or able to range, or rove about, for considerable distances; apt or suited for much roving, -- chiefly used of cattle.

{ Rap"id-fire`, Rap"id-fir`ing }, a. (a) (Gun.) Firing shots in rapid succession. (b) (Ordnance) Capable of being fired rapidly; -- applied to single-barreled guns of greater caliber than small arms, mounted so as to be quickly trained and elevated, with a quick-acting breech mechanism operated by a single motion of a crank or lever (abbr. R. F.); specif.: (1) In the United States navy, designating such a gun using fixed ammunition or metallic cartridge cases; -- distinguished from breech-loading (abbr. B. L.), applied to all guns loading with the charge in bags, and formerly from quick-fire. Rapid-fire guns in the navy also sometimes include automatic or semiautomatic rapid-fire guns; the former being automatic guns of not less than one inch caliber, firing a shell of not less than one pound weight, the explosion of each cartridge operating the mechanism for ejecting the empty shell, loading, and firing the next shot, the latter being guns that require one operation of the hand at each discharge, to load the gun. (2) In the United States army, designating such a gun, whether using fixed or separate ammunition, designed chiefly for use in coast batteries against torpedo vessels and the lightly armored batteries or other war vessels and for the protection of defensive mine fields; -- not distinguished from quick-fire. (3) In Great Britain and Europe used, rarely, as synonymous with quick-fire.

Rapid-fire mount. (Ordnance) A mount permitting easy and quick elevation or depression and training of the gun, and fitting with a device for taking up the recoil.

||Rap`proche`ment" (?), n. [F., fr. rapprocher to cause to approach again. See Re-; Approach.] Act or fact of coming or being drawn near or together; establishment or state of cordial relations.